Statues at Prague Castle at guard posts

Prague Castle (Czech: Pražský hrad) is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Czech Crown Jewels are kept here. Prague Castle is the biggest castle in the world.

The history of the castle stretches back to the 9th century (870). The first walled building was the church of Our Lady.[2] The Basilica of Saint George and the Basilica of St. Vitus were founded in the first half of the 10th century.

The first convent in Bohemia was founded in the castle, next to the church of St. George. A Romanesque palace was erected here during the 12th century. In the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV the royal palace was rebuilt in Gothic style and the castle fortifications were strengthened. In place of rotunda and basilica of St. Vitus began building of a vast Gothic church, that have been completed almost six centuries later.

After Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the castle became the seat of the Head of State of the new Czech Republic. Similar to what Masaryk did with Plečnik, president Václav Havel commissioned Bořek Šípek to be the architect of post-communism Prague Castle's necessary improvements, in particular of the facelift of the Castle's Gallery of paintings.

Photo 266, Sept 2008

Statues at Prague Castle at guard posts

Photo 269, Sept 2008

Statues at Prague Castle at guard posts

Photo 349, Sept 2008